Yes, Hamilton Zoo have previously imported fishing cat from Singapore in 2010 and 2015 and the Czech Republic in 2017.
article about how the new zoo plan could include "glamping" (i.e. a safari camp style accommodation). Could glamping put the 'ooh' back in Hamilton Zoo? "Glamping combines glamour and camping, and will involve around 16 luxury tent sites overlooking the Savannah. O'Leary said the tents will be in-keeping with an authentic safari encounter but will include home comforts. The site will be in the new Waterhole Camp adjacent to the home of the zoo's giraffes and zebras. An overnight stay would include meals and behind-the-scenes visits with the animals"
A male Fishing Cat has arrived all the way from Blighty: Statement from Facebook You won't meet him for a little while yet, however this is Bandula, a male fishing cat who has arrived from Port Lympne in the U.K. He's out of quarantine but still off display while we get him used to his new home. These guys are amongst the most vulnerable of the small and medium-sized cats in Southeast Asia, and will join females Indah and Sahaja in a month or so - we'll let you know when!
What do you mean where? The origin and destination zoos are clearly stated in the quoted information.
Awesome to hear the new male has arrived. Hamilton Zoo originally stated a new male was anticipated to arrive later this year so I'm amazed to hear he's here already. "Later this year" can easily mean the following year or longer in zoos. Namely Auckland Zoo with Nandi the elephant or Wellnigton Zoo with their new African wild dogs scheduled to arrive "Later this year" in 2014, I'm still waiting for them to arrive. I do believe Hamilton Zoo now has a decent chance of breeding these cats now they have a starting base of a male and two young females which provides two choices of mate in case one female is incompatible with the male or is killed by the male during introductions as can often happen with this species.
Article on Hamilton Zoo's Master Plan Hamilton Zoo's master plan popular - but how to fund it? Plans to refresh Hamilton Zoo have impressed residents, but there's a question mark over the dollars needed to implement it. Glamping with giraffes and an improved cafe and entrance are part of the Hamilton Zoo Master Plan, which city councillors will say yes or no to at a Tuesday meeting. A $15 million figure for the upgrade has been bandied about, but approving the plan won't commit council to spending, a report to the community and services committee said. Instead, zoo projects would join the queue when councillors decide where to direct the money available under the long-term plan. Almost 200 people made submissions to council on the zoo plan, and were asked if the major projects would help the zoo deliver "fun, conservation, education and sustainability". The answer from 161 of them was yes. Supporters most commonly mentioned the expanded cafe and entrance, and the Waterhole camp - a safari-style overnight stay facility. Most people - 71 per cent of submitters - also liked the idea of better connections between the zoo and nearby Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. A handful of those against the zoo plan wanted more focus on sustainability, conservation and education, or objected in general to animals being kept in captivity. If the plan gets the nod, money will be the big question - at the moment, there's nothing set aside in the council coffers to pay for it. Through consultation, council asked how it should fund the project if it goes ahead: through entry fees, general rates, targeted rates, partnerships, or sponsorships. A combination of all those options was the most popular model, supported by 47 per cent of respondents. Ten per cent of those who wrote in thought the plan shouldn't be funded at all. Council staffers recommend that councillors approve the zoo plan to set a clear direction, and so zoo projects can be considered in the 2018-28 Long-Term Plan, and plans that follow.
Hamilton Zoo hatches first Whio ducklings in 17 years Hamilton Zoo hatches first ducklings in 17 years Hamilton Zoo has welcomed two whio ducklings, who are the first to hatch at the zoo in 17 years. The eggs were laid in the zoo's free flight aviary and hatched in incubators in August, and are believed to be a male and a female, "We are rapt our new breeding pair has got the recipe for success right, whereas previous pairs have not," team leader of native and exotic fauna, Cheridan Mathers said. Conditions for whio to thrive are hard to replicate as the species rely on high-quality, stable rivers and stream catchments, and prefer to nest in ground level rock crevices near steep stream banks. "Although this hatching says great things about the environment we've created at Hamilton Zoo, sadly these conditions are not as easy to find in the wild as they used to be," Ms Mathers said. Whio are classed as endangered, and it's estimated there are only 1200 adults left. Hamilton Zoo staff will care for the chicks until they are strong enough for release into a aviary, before full release into the wild.
A zebra foal was born last week to mum Zalika and dad Malawi. The foals big brother Kaabo, went to Orana Wildlife Park last Friday. (Information from Hamilton Zoo's Facebook)
Sumatran Tiger Enclosure Upgrade: Tigers test cat climbing post after Hamilton Zoo revamp Tigers at Hamilton Zoo now have the mother of all cat poles to climb on. Staff have spent months revamping the "tired" 2001 enclosure and it now boasts a big cat climbing post, a paddling pool, tunnels and a tweaked soundscape. "We wanted to change it up to make it more viewable for our visitors but also exciting and still creating a habitat that tigers would want to be in," curator Catherine Nichols said. Tigers at Hamilton Zoo now have the mother of all cat poles to climb on. Staff have spent months revamping the "tired" 2001 enclosure and it now boasts a big cat climbing post, a paddling pool, tunnels and a tweaked soundscape. "We wanted to change it up to make it more viewable for our visitors but also exciting and still creating a habitat that tigers would want to be in," curator Catherine Nichols said. "So if you think of them in their natural habitat, they've still got areas to hide in, there are young trees that will grow up and be a bit more of a screen and shade." The redesign is not a response to the death of Samantha Kudeweh in 2015 who was fatally attacked in a tiger enclosure. The design was a team effort with the zoo keepers considering the personalities of the five Sumatran cats and what they could do to encourage their natural behaviour. Sound was a significant part of that. They elevated the waterfall which increases the sound of water flowing and also circulates the pool to give it movement and catch the tigers' attention. It also creates a shallow pool and the idea is that tigers will use it to cool off in summer. They are, after all, adapted to swim with their partially webbed paws. Most of the work was done in-house with the keepers working with the ground maintenance staff and other team members. Gone is the old bamboo hedge. "It was a feature the tigers would hide under so we were conscious that visitors were turning up and not always getting to see the tigers. They are secretive by nature. They are designed to hide so we had to think about that." The revamp has seen two tunnels added so the tigers can get shade and also feel more secure. There is also a tree growth area which gives tigers comfort. "It gives them security and comfort while still allowing us visibility. "I think they've really enjoyed it so far. They've put in a big climbing tower with a rope feature which allows the keepers to put an enticement up high to encourage them to climb."
Birth of Bison Twins: A Hamilton Zoo bison has produced rare twin calves Hamilton Zoo is celebrating a rare double arrival in their hoofed department. Milena, one of the zoo's female American Plains bison gave birth to twin calves on November 13. The chances of bison twins are 0.04 per cent. "In the 15-odd years that there has been Bison here [at the zoo], there's never been twins. So it was a real surprise when we found them in the paddock.," ungulates team leader Aaron Gilmour, said. Milena at 11 years old is an experienced mother but obviously hasn't had twins before. "She's taken to them quite well very surprisingly. She's feeding them herself, she's had no problems producing enough milk to feed them so it's been really good. I was expecting one to be a bit weaker and slower than the other but they're both really strong." The male and female who are yet to be named are doing well. The male calf will grow to weigh about a tonne. "They get to be a fairly substantial size. They're a very nice animal, they're quite placid." The female calf will stay at the zoo as there is a high possibility that she's infertile. "Because she is a twin there is a high chance she won't be able to reproduce when she's older." The male will eventually move on, the zoo is sending some of their bison to a farm in Karapiro as they are a domestic animal. Bison are pregnant for 11 to 12 months and with 12 bison currently at the zoo they do have a calf or two every year and they have another female who is also expecting. Bison live anywhere from 18 to 22 years old. The calves are currently on display.
